New i5 Build as a Gift - 3rd build ever

[mike1978]

Hi guys,

I was looking for some help with my parts list for a new build. I am putting this together a a gift for Christmas. I want to try the i5 in order to keep costs down (I built two i7 builds over the summer). I can hit the local microcenter and get the I5 750 for $150. I am trying to keep to a 700-800 budget.

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: today or tomorrow

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Internet browsing, no games at all unless you count my father playing Bejeweled!, some photo stuff,

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: reusing monitor and keyboard for now. Will upgrade later.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS:newegg, I will get the CPU from Microcenter

OVERCLOCKING: No SLI OR CROSSFIRE: No
__________________________________________________
Here is my parts list so far -->

Case
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137
69.99

PSU
CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004
79.99 (59.99 after rebate)

MoBO
ASUS P7P55 LX LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Support CrossFireX and MemOK – memory rescue tool
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131604
119.99

GIGABYTE GA-P55M-UD2 LGA 1156 Intel P55 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128405
104.99

Am I cheaping out here? Which one of the two? I am open to MoBo suggestions here.

Video Card
HIS H467QS1GH Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161287
74.99

I went for a simple one that had HDMI.

Processor
i5 750
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0317379
149.99

Memory
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276
99.99

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116754&cm_re=windows_7_64_bit_OEM-_-32-116-754-_-Product
104.99

This puts me at just over $800. Not bad. Anywhere I should be upgrading or cutting back?

Thanks for the help!

 

[MadAdmiral]

Can someone say overkill? For just doing internet, you don't need an i5, discrete GPU, 550W PSU, or most of what's there. I'm also not seeing an HDD or an optical drive...

Go look at the "Recommended Builds by Usage" thread in the General Homebuilt section. The cheapest one is still overkill. I highly recommend looking at HP or Dell and buying something there for 1/4-1/2 the cost. If you want them to think you built it, buy the case and transfer all the parts. They won't know any different, and it won't affect their experience.

If you absolutely want to build one, look at the Core 2 Duos. That would be enough for what they're doing. Find a motherboard with onboard graphics and an HDMI out (most of them will have this). Grab a cheap set of 4 GB RAM. A 400W PSU would be more power than they need. Depending on storage needs, grab a 250 GB Western Digital or 500 GB Samsung Spinpoint F3. Any optical will do as long as it's a SATA drive.

 

[mike1978]

I appreciate that. You are probably right. I'll review that thread and my options.

I was building this as a gift for my father who loves the cool look of my rig. He is using a 6 or 7 year old Dell that has slowed to a crawl and is dying for a "faster" computer.

And I did forget to add the optical drive and HD so that inflates by budget closer to $1000. No point in that.

I will let you know what I decide.

 

[gfergo]

Very curious to know what you ended up with??